Cold comfort for a rough sleeper (From Bournemouth Echo)

I don't know about Kevin - but the largest group of rough sleeping homeless people in this country is ex-servicemen. It is appalling that we treat our 'bravest and best' like used toys to chuck on the scrapheap once their days of service are over.

“They want me to get up at 7.30 in the morning and it’s not something I’m used to.

Brilliant!... Faced with the prospect of sleeping rough on the streets or being provided with a warm bed in a night shelter.

This person chooses to spend it in someone's private doorway because he 'can't get out of 'bed' before 7.30am, probably because he's recovering from a hefty fag and sherry session.

If he's being offered a place (that'll protect him from harm and illness) and choosing not to take it because he finds the morning 'rule' too strict, well more fool him.

Disgusting! This man is offered help and insteads chooses to sleep on the street because he does not like getting up in the morning!! Well neither do I but I do because I have to go to work. Maybe he should try it. Or quit the fags and sherry and find a nice B & B that wont kick him out early. But I doubt it. And why did he move to this area? Hear it was a soft touch??

"said he finds it difficult to adjust to the regime. They want me to get up at 7.30 in the morning and it’s not something I’m used to."

-Yeah whatever, its your own falt then, dont complain about the cold! How pathetic is that!!!

I couldn't get out of bed this morning my wife size 26 was sleeping on my night shirt also she was wearing a gas mask aahhhhhhhhhggggggggg
ggshsilon

Yes, we can feel sorry for anyone on the streets, this weather especially, but this man chooses this life. He says he has been offered a bed but doesn't like getting up at 7.30 a.m.. Tough !
I see he has been in the Bournemouth area for about one month. Suggest he goes back to where he came from, perhaps they might be a bit more understanding and let him stay in bed longer .

I understand well that there is a lot of homeless people. I know many servicemen who have taking to the streets for reasons of not being able to handle it on leaving the services, break down of marriages because they are home and not going away, and many other reasons.

If this guy has been offered help, and has refused it, then bigger fool him. It is got nothing to do with getting up at 7.30 is it really. He has no intention of doing anything for himself. If he got a bed, and got up at 7.30 he could have a breakfast, get a job, or get off to work. No chance.

A lot of the ex servicemen in Portsmouth and Plymouth would be happy of a bed for a night or two, and would except the help if it was there. Sadly, there is not a lot of it about.

There are loads of people like this on Bournemouth streets drunk and begging. They should be sent back to were they originally live. Yes feel sorry for people who are down on their luck but dont give them money 50p here 50p there just to feed their habbits if you want to give try the nightshelter via Bournemouth Church's. They dont go to the nightshelter because of alchol or drug abuse, help is out there if they dont want it dont give to them. the one's who ask for 50p for night shelter inform them to contact the homeless section Bournemouth Council who will assist them. Till we stop giving money to these people they will keep coming here. this is not being unkind or inhuman, but most of these rough sleepers just feed their addiction with the money you give them. There are outreach officers to help them if they want assistance and why come here if you dont have money or somewhere to live they have the choice but as in this editorial he's happy with his ciggies and sherry HIS CHOICE so dont give he doesn't want your help or anyone elses.

i wondered where my granny's jacket had wandered to aaaaahhhhhhhgggggg

I have worked next to that homeless shelter in St Pauls Lane and 90% of their 'customers' are scrounging drunks or druggies, BUT 10% are genuine people down on their luck but are fighting hard to get fit again for society. I used to look out of the office window and think that there but for the grace of god go I.
Its a pity though that until the 'shelter' is moved it is stopping work on a development next door to be called 'The gateway to Bournemouth 'which will be seen when first entering Bournemouth on St Pauls roundabout. The developers know that with such a place so close to an up-market development no-one will purchase an apartment or use the shops, unless like our friend out there sleeping in minus temperatures decides to use one of their shop fronts, hence the lack of movement on the site.
Just for information and to warn our Christchurch folk, the shelter is meant to be moving to the site of the Christchurch Police station when it closes!!!! That was an agreement with the developers building the 'Gateway to Bournemouth’.

frying leper wrote:
I couldn't get out of bed this morning my wife size 26 was sleeping on my night shirt also she was wearing a gas mask aahhhhhhhhhggggggggg

ggshsilon

Your wife should have rolled over. Given us all a bit of respite.

What a miserable shower of unforgiving,uncharit
able waste of space you lot are.The days of uncertainty look you full square in the face,does anyone know for sure what's going to happen to their jobs or livlehoods in the next few months,let alone next year.You would want to hope that if you were unfortunate to end up on the streets someone ou there might be a little more understanding than yourselves.Talk about ignorant, ah!,whats the point,lets hope the rest of Poole and Bournemouth at this time of year have a little more compassion and cheer than you guy's,shame on you.

"The 57-year-old relies on sherry, his cigarettes and a couple of McDonald’s cheeseburgers a day to keep him going.

And he fears his health may deteriorate if the cold snap lasts much longer"

Have a word with GORDON BROWN I'm sure he'll give you a CRISIS loan !!

Yaaawwwnnn...I've just woken up and am off to a cosy doorway for the night, armed with nothing but a magnum of Don Perignon '85 and a box of Bolivar Coronas. I'll resist the cheeseburger on health grounds, and stick to a couple of caviar sandwiches (wholeneal bread, of course)

no vested interest wrote:
What a miserable shower of unforgiving,uncharit

able waste of space you lot are.The days of uncertainty look you full square in the face,does anyone know for sure what's going to happen to their jobs or livlehoods in the next few months,let alone next year.You would want to hope that if you were unfortunate to end up on the streets someone ou there might be a little more understanding than yourselves.Talk about ignorant, ah!,whats the point,lets hope the rest of Poole and Bournemouth at this time of year have a little more compassion and cheer than you guy's,shame on you.

I'm sorry, but you couldn't have missed the point more if you'd tried. And I take great offence to being called miserable and a waste of space.

My point (which I thought was simple) is that an editorial piece detailing the hardship of sleeping rough at night in this extreme cold spell, kind of falls flat, when in the same piece the man informs us he would probably be offered accommodation in a night shelter - yet he chooses not to accept it. Prefering instead to stay warm by using a combination of fags, alcohol and burgers.

I have no need to feel any shame, and I am a compassionate man. But based purely on the validty of this article and the comments made by the man...

He CHOOSES to live his life like this. So TOUGH!

DailyView wrote:

frying leper wrote: I couldn't get out of bed this morning my wife size 26 was sleeping on my night shirt also she was wearing a gas mask aahhhhhhhhhggggggggg ggshsilon

Your wife should have rolled over. Given us all a bit of respite.

You are very observant boy and your ability to employ your brains and quote my comments proves how efficient and obedient you have become, particularly during this economic turndown true in this instance,well done Dai, keep watching quoting but most important learning from Fragle aka as fry.

5.01 above..and thats only his dogs supper woof it up, aaaaaagggggghhhhhhh doggonne

ferrisbueller wrote:

no vested interest wrote: What a miserable shower of unforgiving,uncharit able waste of space you lot are.The days of uncertainty look you full square in the face,does anyone know for sure what's going to happen to their jobs or livlehoods in the next few months,let alone next year.You would want to hope that if you were unfortunate to end up on the streets someone ou there might be a little more understanding than yourselves.Talk about ignorant, ah!,whats the point,lets hope the rest of Poole and Bournemouth at this time of year have a little more compassion and cheer than you guy's,shame on you.

I'm sorry, but you couldn't have missed the point more if you'd tried. And I take great offence to being called miserable and a waste of space. My point (which I thought was simple) is that an editorial piece detailing the hardship of sleeping rough at night in this extreme cold spell, kind of falls flat, when in the same piece the man informs us he would probably be offered accommodation in a night shelter - yet he chooses not to accept it. Prefering instead to stay warm by using a combination of fags, alcohol and burgers. I have no need to feel any shame, and I am a compassionate man. But based purely on the validty of this article and the comments made by the man... He CHOOSES to live his life like this. So TOUGH!

I presume that 'no vested interest' is ex-Bournemouth/Poole
, like myself, and hits the spot. Why should the fact that someone chooses not to accept the regime of getting kicked out of bed / the shelter at 7.30am be a challenge to your empathy? Who made this law and why not provide more time / comfort? It may be that there are other more appropriate rules re: alcohol/tobacco that are the real challenge. The attitude seems to be if he can't obey the rules, he deserves all that society and the weather can throw at him. That can't be fair in a right-minded society can it? Well said 'no vested interest'. What practical help have all of the 'tutters' ever given to the homeless, I wonder.

frying leper wrote:
i wondered where my granny's jacket had wandered to aaaaahhhhhhhgggggg

mmmmm, sherry amd cheeseburgers...

frying leper wrote:
i wondered where my granny's jacket had wandered to aaaaahhhhhhhgggggg

mmmmm, sherry amd cheeseburgers...

I am sure there are druggies and drunks on the street and I am also sure that there are genuine cases of hardship, I never judge anyone and this man quoted in the article is only one person. As my granny used to say "there but for the grace of god go I"

ex patria wrote:

ferrisbueller wrote:

no vested interest wrote: What a miserable shower of unforgiving,uncharit able waste of space you lot are.The days of uncertainty look you full square in the face,does anyone know for sure what's going to happen to their jobs or livlehoods in the next few months,let alone next year.You would want to hope that if you were unfortunate to end up on the streets someone ou there might be a little more understanding than yourselves.Talk about ignorant, ah!,whats the point,lets hope the rest of Poole and Bournemouth at this time of year have a little more compassion and cheer than you guy's,shame on you.

I'm sorry, but you couldn't have missed the point more if you'd tried. And I take great offence to being called miserable and a waste of space. My point (which I thought was simple) is that an editorial piece detailing the hardship of sleeping rough at night in this extreme cold spell, kind of falls flat, when in the same piece the man informs us he would probably be offered accommodation in a night shelter - yet he chooses not to accept it. Prefering instead to stay warm by using a combination of fags, alcohol and burgers. I have no need to feel any shame, and I am a compassionate man. But based purely on the validty of this article and the comments made by the man... He CHOOSES to live his life like this. So TOUGH!

I presume that 'no vested interest' is ex-Bournemouth/Poole

, like myself, and hits the spot. Why should the fact that someone chooses not to accept the regime of getting kicked out of bed / the shelter at 7.30am be a challenge to your empathy? Who made this law and why not provide more time / comfort? It may be that there are other more appropriate rules re: alcohol/tobacco that are the real challenge. The attitude seems to be if he can't obey the rules, he deserves all that society and the weather can throw at him. That can't be fair in a right-minded society can it? Well said 'no vested interest'. What practical help have all of the 'tutters' ever given to the homeless, I wonder.

This man makes a choice to live his life as he wishes - as do we all. I accept that at times life will throw 'curve balls' to us ALL. And each of us deal with these problems in our own different way.

However, if you are cold and you are being OFFERED a safe and warm place to bed down for the night, and yet you choose to sleep rough, because you can't abide by the rules of the establishment (and let's not forget life is full of rules) then I'm sorry but my compassion dwindles to nothing.

This is a right minded society, and many of us 'tutters' have helped others, and indeed may well be more connected with someone like this than you at first would believe.

Bottom line: Accept the help that's offered, and get back on track.

no vested interest wrote:
What a miserable shower of unforgiving,uncharit able waste of space you lot are.The days of uncertainty look you full square in the face,does anyone know for sure what's going to happen to their jobs or livlehoods in the next few months,let alone next year.You would want to hope that if you were unfortunate to end up on the streets someone ou there might be a little more understanding than yourselves.Talk about ignorant, ah!,whats the point,lets hope the rest of Poole and Bournemouth at this time of year have a little more compassion and cheer than you guy's,shame on you.

Theres nothing ignorant about not helping someone who has no interest in helping themselves. So when some guy, complete with a couple of dogs, holds out one hand for 'spare change' whilst holding a can of special brew in the other, at 8.0 clock in the morning while I am taking my children to school, what do you suggest I do? While people keep giving, thinking they are helping, these people will have no interest in helping themselves. I have no sympathy at all for this man and all the other people who think that we all carry spare change in order to give to them. More shame on you for encouraging them!!

manana wrote:

no vested interest wrote:
What a miserable shower of unforgiving,uncharit able waste of space you lot are.The days of uncertainty look you full square in the face,does anyone know for sure what's going to happen to their jobs or livlehoods in the next few months,let alone next year.You would want to hope that if you were unfortunate to end up on the streets someone ou there might be a little more understanding than yourselves.Talk about ignorant, ah!,whats the point,lets hope the rest of Poole and Bournemouth at this time of year have a little more compassion and cheer than you guy's,shame on you.

Theres nothing ignorant about not helping someone who has no interest in helping themselves. So when some guy, complete with a couple of dogs, holds out one hand for 'spare change' whilst holding a can of special brew in the other, at 8.0 clock in the morning while I am taking my children to school, what do you suggest I do? While people keep giving, thinking they are helping, these people will have no interest in helping themselves. I have no sympathy at all for this man and all the other people who think that we all carry spare change in order to give to them. More shame on you for encouraging them!!

Dead right,the more wallies that give to them,and encourage them,more and more come to Bournemouth.This town is becoming a haven for them.

frying leper wrote:
5.01 above..and thats only his dogs supper woof it up, aaaaaagggggghhhhhhh doggonne

The corgies stay at home. The footman does a chateaux faux pas on Wednesday whilst they watch Hounds of the Baskervilles on Sky69.
wwwooooooooooooffff woooooooooooof

So many of them outside asda as well asking for change for the habbits , if there hungry they just go to the hot deli counter and take a hot chicken and eat it instore , that way they dont get arrested just chucked out the store till there hungry again , total madness

as I wrote a few days ago.where is the community and what is it doing,nothing,but we live in a worldtwere the only thing that counts is how much we can all grab.we no longer care about other people.

This bloke knows exactly what he is about.
All he has to worry about is "not getting exposed to the chill and must not get wet"!
Either of those two senarios will kill him.
This bloke is a survivor who is completely in control of his situation!
He will not be around in 10 years but he is doing what he wants.
Who are we to say that he is wrong?

good morning everyone firstly i would like to introduce myself, i am chris and i am a volunteer for www.dorsetstreetreli
ef.com (please see our site)upon reading this story and all of the comments i can understand both and all points of view. but as the website says we go out every night of the week and provide hot drinks clothing etc.. we speak to these people and they all have different stories to why and how the end up on our streets, ok so this chap in particular did say about fags and booze but he was honest and i have spoken to alot that do drink to kill the pain of emotional hurt and in the current weather conditions to warm them selves up. my self would rather not see these people on the street and thats what our organisation aim for. we do collect donations full details are on our website as is more of what we do. please feel free to contact us or my self directly on our website or email me on chris_dorsetstreetre
lief@hotmail.com

if these people want to be fed and warm, why is it that when they ask for some change for a cup of coffee, and i offer to buy them a cup of coffee, i get nothing but abuse!!!
I would rather they were up front and said 'spare some change for a can of stupidly strong cheap white cider so i can get drunk and aggresive in the hope i get arrested and put in a warm cell with a free pastie or 2 thrown in'

Derf wrote:
if these people want to be fed and warm, why is it that when they ask for some change for a cup of coffee, and i offer to buy them a cup of coffee, i get nothing but abuse!!! I would rather they were up front and said 'spare some change for a can of stupidly strong cheap white cider so i can get drunk and aggresive in the hope i get arrested and put in a warm cell with a free pastie or 2 thrown in'

i can understand that completely which is why we as an organisation do not give out money beers or drugs as we simply offer hot drinks soups and food and clothing and what would be ideal is if people want to help or stop the homeless being as some say abusive etc... we are open to accept donations of foods drinks clothing tents money and we distribute the donations to what are essential to these people, and with some luck this will stop or deflate the use of heavy drinking and drug use and encourage the homeless to rethink and take action. and yes they do try to get put into police custody but wouldnt you?? please think how would you cope if you was them and had no one except dirty looks and abuse off passers by not everyone is the same why tar with the same brush please think about this.

Hi, Im Sally Bryan, Co-Founder of Dorset Street Relief. We are a locally run Non-Profitable Organisation who go out every night to locate the Homeless of Bournemouth and feed them and make sure they have enough warm clothes, blankets etc. Love them or hate them Homeless people are a part of our society so should not be ignored. Many of the negative comments on here are made from ignorance. If you see someone who asks for spare change and refuses a cup of coffee it will be because they are beggars, not homeless, there is a vast difference. Education is needed here. We go out at night, when the genuine homeless can be found, and never once are we asked for money and always the things we give them are gratefully accepted with thanks and manners. Some of the Homeless we meet are in this situation due to marriage break ups, depression, eviction, being kicked out of the care system at young ages and other Mental Health issues. Not all of them are junkies, though some are, but even the ones who are do not get treated any differently by us, as these people we are helping cannot sell what we give them, they merely use what we give them to make themselves more comfortable. I think anyone that begrudges them this small luxury should look at the root cause of the Homeless problems instead of looking at the sypmtoms which are bought on by being Homeless. As my colleague said in his post, many drink or take drugs to numb the pain of what they have lost or left behind, and to help them sleep and help them stay warm, right or wrong these are symptoms of being homeless and to effect the Homeless self medicate using drink or drugs. Those who do not use drugs when finding themselves homeless usually take about 2 weeks until they do start to partake in some kind of "self-medication". We are all just two pay cheques away from possible homelessness and it is ignorance that makes us believe that it could never happen to us, especially in this economic climate. The vulnerable of our society are always going to be at a higher risk of being homeless and it is my strong belief that just because they are homeless and take drugs, or have a drink does that mean we should leave them to rot in a doorway until they die, or should we try to make them more comfortable, and give them some faith that there is hope for them, that society hasnt given up on them and that someone does care, as surely if you give them that feeling of self worth they may be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel and find the strength to help themselves (with the right support) out of their situation. This "Not in our backyard" mentality is a viscious circle and moving them on is just not a practical solution. I plead you all to remember it could be you, or someone you know, or one of your children, so wouldnt you hope that there is help and support out there when you are at your lowest.??
Regards
Sally
Dorset Street Relief

DonG wrote:
Yaaawwwnnn...I've just woken up and am off to a cosy doorway for the night, armed with nothing but a magnum of Don Perignon '85 and a box of Bolivar Coronas. I'll resist the cheeseburger on health grounds, and stick to a couple of caviar sandwiches (wholeneal bread, of course)

So did you get your beach hut then ;)

We like the above give hot food, clothes, and the like to the homeless of Poole and Bournemouth, and have recently started a central point for our hot food soup kitchen at St Peters churchyard in Bournemouth. We feel that there are many reasons as to why people are homeless BUT what we need to do is find out the cause and background of the person and help to integrate him/her into accomodation. While it is essential to keep the people warm on the streets they do need encouragement and help in getting a warm place to stay, where they feel safe and supported.
If you were sleeping in a doorway would you not need something to help you sleep? I know i did when i was out there for several weeks. I was lucky as i was supported and found accomodation, so why not help those out there now.
We are working with Poole and Bournemouth council's to see how we can fit in with their services and also compliment them if required. The way forward is not about undoing what work has been done already but increasing the support offered to these people.
If you would like to see our site please search for us on google or use the name above .org.uk

sally@DSR wrote:
Hi, Im Sally Bryan, Co-Founder of Dorset Street Relief. We are a locally run Non-Profitable Organisation who go out every night to locate the Homeless of Bournemouth and feed them and make sure they have enough warm clothes, blankets etc. Love them or hate them Homeless people are a part of our society so should not be ignored. Many of the negative comments on here are made from ignorance. If you see someone who asks for spare change and refuses a cup of coffee it will be because they are beggars, not homeless, there is a vast difference. Education is needed here. We go out at night, when the genuine homeless can be found, and never once are we asked for money and always the things we give them are gratefully accepted with thanks and manners. Some of the Homeless we meet are in this situation due to marriage break ups, depression, eviction, being kicked out of the care system at young ages and other Mental Health issues. Not all of them are junkies, though some are, but even the ones who are do not get treated any differently by us, as these people we are helping cannot sell what we give them, they merely use what we give them to make themselves more comfortable. I think anyone that begrudges them this small luxury should look at the root cause of the Homeless problems instead of looking at the sypmtoms which are bought on by being Homeless. As my colleague said in his post, many drink or take drugs to numb the pain of what they have lost or left behind, and to help them sleep and help them stay warm, right or wrong these are symptoms of being homeless and to effect the Homeless self medicate using drink or drugs. Those who do not use drugs when finding themselves homeless usually take about 2 weeks until they do start to partake in some kind of "self-medication". We are all just two pay cheques away from possible homelessness and it is ignorance that makes us believe that it could never happen to us, especially in this economic climate. The vulnerable of our society are always going to be at a higher risk of being homeless and it is my strong belief that just because they are homeless and take drugs, or have a drink does that mean we should leave them to rot in a doorway until they die, or should we try to make them more comfortable, and give them some faith that there is hope for them, that society hasnt given up on them and that someone does care, as surely if you give them that feeling of self worth they may be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel and find the strength to help themselves (with the right support) out of their situation. This "Not in our backyard" mentality is a viscious circle and moving them on is just not a practical solution. I plead you all to remember it could be you, or someone you know, or one of your children, so wouldnt you hope that there is help and support out there when you are at your lowest.??
Regards
Sally
Dorset Street Relief

I'm sorry, but this doesn't need to de-generate into a lecture on why we are more fortunate, and could end up in the same position, two pay cheques away, etc... I agree with nearly all of your comments, although the heavy dollop of 'couldn't it happen to you' is larger irrelevant unless you know each persons family circumstances and friendship circles.

However I congratulate you on being prepared to sacrifice time and patience to help deal with this situation.

However, the initial round of comments on here centered on a disbelief that a homeless man (from out of the area) who was being offered a place to stay, was refusing it on the grounds that he was unable to abide by the rules (well actually only ONE rule was mentioned - that of getting up at 7.30am - which most of us have to do anyway everyday - if not earlier.

I for one, never made any comments about rotting in doorways, I do not wish this man ill health or harm. I do however find him MONUMENTALLY stupid in not taking an available space in a night shelter. This article highlighted the fact that he was choosing to stay warm by drinking and smoking and may be in 'harms way' because he COULDN'T GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING!

He's made his 'bed', the rest is up to him.

hi sally i have a mate called mike woodlouse who could assist you he boasts many years of experience in relief work he could be your right hand man aaaaaahhhhhhhgggggga
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh
hhggg sqeurt pht

I'm sorry, but this doesn't need to de-generate into a lecture on why we are more fortunate, and could end up in the same position, two pay cheques away, etc... I agree with nearly all of your comments, although the heavy dollop of 'couldn't it happen to you' is larger irrelevant unless you know each persons family circumstances and friendship circles.

However I congratulate you on being prepared to sacrifice time and patience to help deal with this situation.

However, the initial round of comments on here centered on a disbelief that a homeless man (from out of the area) who was being offered a place to stay, was refusing it on the grounds that he was unable to abide by the rules (well actually only ONE rule was mentioned - that of getting up at 7.30am - which most of us have to do anyway everyday - if not earlier.

I for one, never made any comments about rotting in doorways, I do not wish this man ill health or harm. I do however find him MONUMENTALLY stupid in not taking an available space in a night shelter. This article highlighted the fact that he was choosing to stay warm by drinking and smoking and may be in 'harms way' because he COULDN'T GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING!

He's made his 'bed', the rest is up to him.
--------------------
---------------
Apologies for the "lecture" wasnt my intention to come across that way, I was just trying to get my point across. I agree it is frustrating when some people who are homeless do not accept help, but I expect that remark about being woken at 7.30am was made flippantly and there are deeper issues as to why Kevin turned down help. I feel slightly disappointed that the Echo have used Kevin as a case study for the Homeless as there are many more out there who would have contravertial stories and opinions about the system as it stands, those who want help but cannot access it as they do not fit the criteria or cannot battle through the red tape that needs to be battled through to get any help.
As with most things we have strong opinions about, these things cannot be taken on face value and generalisations, as each person has an individual story, a shame that Echo chose this particular person who has given a rather negative perception of the Homeless as a community.

COULDN'T GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaalololl Olol lo lo

hemlock wrote:

DonG wrote: Yaaawwwnnn...I've just woken up and am off to a cosy doorway for the night, armed with nothing but a magnum of Don Perignon '85 and a box of Bolivar Coronas. I'll resist the cheeseburger on health grounds, and stick to a couple of caviar sandwiches (wholeneal bread, of course)

So did you get your beach hut then ;)

NO !!! I BEAT HIM TO IT....
By begging for 50p's for a couple of nights, I saved enough to buy 3 huts on the beach and now sub-let them for a bottle of cooking sherry and 5 Park Drive.
I do a mean pate on toast for breakfast, if your not too fussy about who went in it.

I've been homeless on 2 occasions, due, usually, to recurring mental ill health issues. Not surprisingly, many people living on the streets suffer mental, as well as physical ill health. I chose to live on the streets as living in accommodation where I was responsible for rent, water rates, decorating, furnishing, cooking, cleaning and all the other things associated with "independent living" were far more stressful than with which I could cope . I've met many people who had been in many professions (doctors, dentists, accountants, solicitors and the like) who were happier to "blot out" their miserable existence with their "drug of choice" rather than face the hell of trying to cope with the enormity of living on/by themselves. Sadly, I have also met people such as those who have made rude and derogatory comments about others less fortunate than themselves. Let's hope and pray that they never get into situations where they need help ! "There but for the grace of God go I" is an apt and frequently forgotten quotation. However, some of us DO remember it - and, I believe, are better people for doing so. Let the good work continue - it's a pity it's needed, but a blessing that it's provided and, hopefully, will continue to be provided as long as is necessary. Thank you to all who help others, whoever and wherever you and/or they are. Dave.

sally@DSR wrote:
I'm sorry, but this doesn't need to de-generate into a lecture on why we are more fortunate, and could end up in the same position, two pay cheques away, etc... I agree with nearly all of your comments, although the heavy dollop of 'couldn't it happen to you' is larger irrelevant unless you know each persons family circumstances and friendship circles.

However I congratulate you on being prepared to sacrifice time and patience to help deal with this situation.

However, the initial round of comments on here centered on a disbelief that a homeless man (from out of the area) who was being offered a place to stay, was refusing it on the grounds that he was unable to abide by the rules (well actually only ONE rule was mentioned - that of getting up at 7.30am - which most of us have to do anyway everyday - if not earlier.

I for one, never made any comments about rotting in doorways, I do not wish this man ill health or harm. I do however find him MONUMENTALLY stupid in not taking an available space in a night shelter. This article highlighted the fact that he was choosing to stay warm by drinking and smoking and may be in 'harms way' because he COULDN'T GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING!

He's made his 'bed', the rest is up to him.
--------------------

---------------
Apologies for the No worries. Again I agree with large parts of your discourse. And I do realise that this man is not acting as an ambassador for the homeless community and obviously his opinions (on the shelter) are his alone.

I am just saddened that when offered help in avoiding the cold snap and the possibility of a warm safe(ish) bed, he chooses not to take it!

Unfortunately, I cannot understand why he would do this, he states he fears hypothermia, or the like.

I suspect he knows exactly what he's doing, and chooses to live his life like this. It's just sad and I have very little sympathy for someone who at 'the bottom' of society doesn't grab with both hands everything that's being offered!

Dear Kevvo Vaughan, Don't worry about getting up early, the shelters are having a delivery of new fully automatic beds soon, these beds are self setting and self tilting, each morning the bed tips you out into a giant catapult which fires you two or three streets away into a shop doorway , the ride alone in the catapult is well worth staying over-night for, so get yourself booked in and remember you will never have to get up early again.all the best to you Kevvo .
doss house again

sally@DSR wrote:
I'm sorry, but this doesn't need to de-generate into a lecture on why we are more fortunate, and could end up in the same position, two pay cheques away, etc... I agree with nearly all of your comments, although the heavy dollop of 'couldn't it happen to you' is larger irrelevant unless you know each persons family circumstances and friendship circles. However I congratulate you on being prepared to sacrifice time and patience to help deal with this situation. However, the initial round of comments on here centered on a disbelief that a homeless man (from out of the area) who was being offered a place to stay, was refusing it on the grounds that he was unable to abide by the rules (well actually only ONE rule was mentioned - that of getting up at 7.30am - which most of us have to do anyway everyday - if not earlier. I for one, never made any comments about rotting in doorways, I do not wish this man ill health or harm. I do however find him MONUMENTALLY stupid in not taking an available space in a night shelter. This article highlighted the fact that he was choosing to stay warm by drinking and smoking and may be in 'harms way' because he COULDN'T GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING! He's made his 'bed', the rest is up to him. -------------------- --------------- Apologies for the "lecture" wasnt my intention to come across that way, I was just trying to get my point across. I agree it is frustrating when some people who are homeless do not accept help, but I expect that remark about being woken at 7.30am was made flippantly and there are deeper issues as to why Kevin turned down help. I feel slightly disappointed that the Echo have used Kevin as a case study for the Homeless as there are many more out there who would have contravertial stories and opinions about the system as it stands, those who want help but cannot access it as they do not fit the criteria or cannot battle through the red tape that needs to be battled through to get any help. As with most things we have strong opinions about, these things cannot be taken on face value and generalisations, as each person has an individual story, a shame that Echo chose this particular person who has given a rather negative perception of the Homeless as a community.

Unfortunately yes there are many more out there who couldnt give two monkeys for any help thats offered and I for one do not care anymore!! And for the fact that there are deeper issues as to why this person cannot get up at 7.30 in the morning, I still dont care!!Most normal, working people do get up and I am sick and tired of this rubbish sitting around on our streets, that we pay good council tax for, bleating about how hard done by they are. B****r off back where you came from

chris_dorsetstreetre
lief wrote:

Derf wrote: if these people want to be fed and warm, why is it that when they ask for some change for a cup of coffee, and i offer to buy them a cup of coffee, i get nothing but abuse!!! I would rather they were up front and said 'spare some change for a can of stupidly strong cheap white cider so i can get drunk and aggresive in the hope i get arrested and put in a warm cell with a free pastie or 2 thrown in'

i can understand that completely which is why we as an organisation do not give out money beers or drugs as we simply offer hot drinks soups and food and clothing and what would be ideal is if people want to help or stop the homeless being as some say abusive etc... we are open to accept donations of foods drinks clothing tents money and we distribute the donations to what are essential to these people, and with some luck this will stop or deflate the use of heavy drinking and drug use and encourage the homeless to rethink and take action. and yes they do try to get put into police custody but wouldnt you?? please think how would you cope if you was them and had no one except dirty looks and abuse off passers by not everyone is the same why tar with the same brush please think about this.

Who has to put them in the cells, who has to rifle through their somewhat smelly clothes running the risk of finding used needles etc, who has to strip search them in the cells.
Would they realy like to go in the cells anyway, i'm sure the gaolers have to do a welfare check when they come on shift around 7 am, be a shame to wake them up to make sure they're still alive, when they're only in for somewhere warm, a free pasty and a lie in!

Spot On. No vested interest. Couldn't have put it better myself.

It must be great to be as smug as most of the posters here.

Tolerance is a thing that is sadly lacking in this town. Whether it's pouring contempt on the less fortunate, keying cars of people parking on the public highway in what they regard as their place, or abusing shop assistants for matters outside their control.